Steaming Carrots: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Cooking Method

Steaming is a great way to cook carrots, preserving their nutrients while also cooking them until tender. It is also a healthy option as it doesn't require large amounts of oil. This article will give you a step-by-step guide on how to steam carrots, as well as some tips and tricks to ensure they are cooked to perfection.

Steaming carrots without a steamer basket

Steaming carrots is a great way to cook them without losing their beneficial nutrients, flavours, textures and colours. Here are some ways to steam carrots without a steamer basket:

Using a Microwave

Place the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl with about 2 tablespoons of water, cover with a plate or lid (not plastic wrap) and microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes. Check with a fork to see if they are tender.

Using a Frying Pan

Add about 1 inch of water to a large frying pan with a fitted lid. Add a dash of salt to the water and bring to a boil. Place the carrots in the water, cover the pan and leave to simmer. The carrots are done when the water has evaporated and a fork can slide through them easily.

Using a Fine-Mesh Sieve

Place the carrots in a fine-mesh sieve in a large pot over boiling water. Cover the pot and steam until tender. However, this method is not recommended as it is difficult to capture enough steam to effectively cook the carrots.

Using a Plate on Tin Foil

Fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water and place three golf ball-sized balls of aluminium foil on the bottom. Rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Add the carrots to the plate, cover and steam until crisp-tender.

How to avoid overcooking carrots

Steaming is a great way to cook carrots, preserving their nutrients, flavours, textures, and colours. However, it is easy to overcook them, resulting in mushy, unappetising carrots. Here are some tips to avoid overcooking your carrots when steaming:

Firstly, prepare your carrots by peeling them and cutting them into even-sized pieces. You can slice them diagonally, about 1/4-inch thick, for a more elegant look, or cut them into 1/4- to 1/2-inch matchsticks. Baby carrots are also a convenient option, as they require no peeling. Just ensure your carrot pieces are consistent in size to avoid uneven cooking.

Next, bring about an inch of water to a boil in a saucepan. Place your steamer basket over the pot if it doesn't have a handle. The water level should be just below the basket. If your steamer basket has a handle, you can add the carrots to the basket now and place it in the pot once the water is boiling. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small gap to vent the steam.

Now, carefully add the carrots to the steamer basket and steam them for about 4 to 5 minutes for crisp-tender carrots. Check the carrots with a fork after 4 minutes and continue cooking if needed. It is better to slightly undercook the carrots than to overcook them, as they can quickly turn mushy.

Finally, remove the carrots from the steamer and drain them. You can now season and serve your perfectly steamed carrots.

By following these steps and keeping a close eye on your cooking carrots, you can avoid overcooking and enjoy tender, flavourful carrots as a side dish or part of a more complex recipe.

Seasoning options

Steaming carrots brings out their natural sweetness, so they require minimal seasoning. A simple option is to toss steamed carrots in butter, salt, and pepper. You can use salted or unsalted butter, and either freshly ground black pepper or regular ground pepper.

You can also experiment with other spices. For example, you can sprinkle the cooked carrots with garlic powder, dried thyme, or other fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or basil. For a sweeter option, you can add honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup. A small amount of sugar can also be added to the water when steaming the carrots.

If you want to make a savoury herb glaze, you can toss the carrots in a mixture of melted butter, honey, lemon juice, pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. You can also replace the honey with freshly chopped dill or parsley for a different flavour.

How to steam carrots in the microwave

Steaming carrots in the microwave is a quick and easy way to cook this versatile vegetable. Here is a simple guide to help you prepare tender and tasty carrots in minutes.

What You Need:

• Carrots (baby carrots, sliced carrots, carrot sticks, or regular carrots)
• Microwave-safe bowl and lid, or a plate
• Water
• Butter (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Other spices or flavours of your choice (e.g. honey, cinnamon, herbs)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Carrots

Wash and peel your carrots, then cut them into even-sized pieces. This ensures they cook at the same rate. You can use a food processor to speed up this process.

Step 2: Add Water and Cover

Place the carrots in the microwave-safe bowl and add a few tablespoons of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the dish. Cover the bowl with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Avoid using metal bowls in the microwave.

Step 3: Microwave the Carrots

Microwave the carrots on high for 3-5 minutes, or until tender. Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave's power and the size of the carrot pieces, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Higher wattage microwaves and smaller carrot pieces will cook faster.

Step 4: Season and Serve

Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave, as it will be very hot. When removing the lid or plastic wrap, be cautious of the steam. Season the carrots with butter, salt, and pepper, or any other desired spices and flavours. Toss the carrots to distribute the seasonings evenly, and serve hot.

Tips:

• You can use a variety of seasonings to customise the flavour of your steamed carrots, such as honey, cinnamon, thyme, or rosemary.
• Steaming carrots in the microwave is a more energy-efficient method compared to stovetop cooking, and it also retains more nutrients.
• If you're using baby carrots, simply cut them in half rather than slicing them into small pieces.
• To check if the carrots are done, poke them with a fork. If they're still crunchy, continue cooking in 30-second intervals.

How to cut carrots for steaming

When cutting carrots for steaming, there are a few different approaches you can take depending on the type of carrot and the desired presentation. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose Your Carrots

Decide whether you will be steaming baby carrots or larger, standard carrots. Baby carrots require less preparation and can be cooked whole, while larger carrots will need to be cut into smaller pieces.

Step 2: Peel and Trim

Start by peeling the carrots to remove the outer layer of skin. Use a vegetable peeler or a small knife to gently remove the skin. Then, trim off the stem end of the carrot and discard it.

Step 3: Cut the Carrots

There are several ways to cut carrots for steaming:

• Slicing: Cut the carrots into thin diagonal slices, also known as slicing "on the bias." This gives the carrots a more elegant presentation. Aim for slices of uniform thickness, about 1/4-inch thick, to ensure even cooking.
• Matchsticks: For matchstick carrots, first, cut a thin slice off one side of the carrot lengthwise. Place the carrot on its flat side on the cutting board to prevent it from rolling. Cut the carrot lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices. Stack a few slices and cut them into 1/4-inch strips. Finally, cut the strips into 2- to 3-inch lengths or 1/4-inch pieces for diced carrots.
• Halves or Quarters: If your carrots are very thick, you may want to cut them in half or quarters lengthwise. This will help ensure even cooking and faster steaming.

Step 4: Size Consistency

Regardless of the cutting method you choose, try to ensure that the carrot pieces are of fairly equal size. This will help them cook evenly and prevent overcooking or undercooking.

Step 5: Presentation (Optional)

If you want to get extra fancy, you can use a "wavy knife" to create crinkle-cut carrot slices. This adds a bit of visual appeal to your dish.

Now that your carrots are cut and prepared, you can proceed to steaming them according to your preferred method. Remember to steam them just until they are tender, and avoid overcooking to prevent mushiness. Enjoy your perfectly steamed carrots!

Frequently asked questions